Active Voice
What is Active Voice in User Research?
Active voice is a writing style in user research where the subject of a sentence performs the action. It emphasizes the doer of the action, making communication clearer, more direct, and easier to understand for participants and stakeholders.
Synonyms: Direct language, Subject-verb-object structure, Clear communication style, Action-oriented writing
Why Active Voice is Important in User Research
Using active voice in user research is crucial for clarity and engagement. It helps researchers communicate more effectively with participants, stakeholders, and team members. Active voice makes research findings more impactful and easier to understand, leading to better decision-making in product development.
How to Use Active Voice in User Research
To implement active voice in user research:
- Identify the subject (doer) of the action
- Place the subject at the beginning of the sentence
- Follow with a strong verb that describes the action
- Complete the sentence with the object receiving the action
For example: "The user completed the task" instead of "The task was completed by the user."
Examples of Active Voice in User Research
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Active: "Participants reported difficulty navigating the menu."
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Passive: "Difficulty navigating the menu was reported by participants."
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Active: "The research team conducted interviews with 20 users."
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Passive: "Interviews were conducted with 20 users by the research team."
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Active: "Users preferred the new interface design."
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Passive: "The new interface design was preferred by users."
Frequently Asked Questions
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Why is active voice preferred in user research?: Active voice makes research findings clearer, more direct, and easier to understand, leading to better communication of insights.
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Does active voice always work better than passive voice?: While active voice is generally preferred, passive voice can be useful when the doer of the action is unknown or less important than the action itself.
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How can I identify passive voice in my research reports?: Look for forms of "to be" (is, was, were) followed by a past participle verb. If you can add "by someone" after the verb, it's likely passive voice.
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Can active voice improve the readability of user research reports?: Yes, active voice typically makes reports more engaging and easier to read, helping stakeholders quickly grasp key findings and recommendations.
